US8344276B2 - Contact arrangement for weak current applications - Google Patents

Contact arrangement for weak current applications Download PDF

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Publication number
US8344276B2
US8344276B2 US12/761,188 US76118810A US8344276B2 US 8344276 B2 US8344276 B2 US 8344276B2 US 76118810 A US76118810 A US 76118810A US 8344276 B2 US8344276 B2 US 8344276B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
contact
arrangement according
bridge
fixed
carbon material
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
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US12/761,188
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English (en)
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US20100294634A1 (en
Inventor
Thomas Freyermuth
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eaton Industries GmbH
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Eaton Industries GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
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Assigned to EATON INDUSTRIES GMBH reassignment EATON INDUSTRIES GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FREYERMUTH, THOMAS
Publication of US20100294634A1 publication Critical patent/US20100294634A1/en
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Publication of US8344276B2 publication Critical patent/US8344276B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/02—Contacts characterised by the material thereof
    • H01H1/021—Composite material
    • H01H1/027—Composite material containing carbon particles or fibres
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a contact arrangement for weak current applications.
  • the present invention provides an electrical contact arrangement for weak current applications.
  • the electrical contact arrangement includes at least one fixed contact including a first contact material, a moving contact configured to be brought into a closing and an opening position with the at least one fixed contact, and a contact bridge which carries the moving contact and includes at least one contact piece including a second contact material.
  • the contact bridge is configured to be actuated in a longitudinally movable manner toward the fixed contact.
  • the first contact material is a metallic conducting material and the second contact material includes at least 70% carbon material.
  • FIGS. 1A to 1D show four contact bridges in a view from the direction of the fixed contacts
  • FIG. 2 shows a contact bridge made entirely of carbon material
  • FIG. 3 shows a contact bridge with a single contact piece as a cuboidal platelet
  • FIG. 4 shows a contact bridge with a single contact piece mounted using fastening clamps
  • FIG. 5 shows a contact bridge with a contact piece as a round rod
  • FIG. 6 shows a contact bridge with a platelet-like contact piece mounted in the contact bridge.
  • Embodiments of the invention present a further development of contact arrangements for weak current applications.
  • One embodiment of the invention employs an electrical contact arrangement that comprises: at least one fixed contact made of a first contact material, a moving contact which can be brought with the at least one fixed contact into a closing and opening position, a contact bridge which carries the moving contact and has at least one contact piece made of a second contact material, wherein the contact bridge can be movably actuated toward the fixed contact in a longitudinally movable manner, and wherein a material pairing of the contact-making elements is provided in such a way that a first contact material is made of a metallic conducting material, preferably of a copper or silver alloy, and a second contact material has a composition consisting of at least 70% carbon material.
  • All references hereinafter to graphite refer generally to one of the carbon materials used.
  • isostatically pressed graphite also known as iso-graphite is in particular proposed for the contact piece.
  • the contact arrangement is principally a pick-up or bridge contact, comprising a contact bridge made either of sheet metal or of insulating material.
  • contacts made of carbon material have increased internal resistance (compared to metallic contacts), the proposed contact arrangements have technical and economic advantages in signal and auxiliary switch contacts having control currents of ⁇ 1 A and control voltages of up to ⁇ 60V.
  • carbon does not form any oxides at its surface, and if it does, only volatile CO 2 is produced.
  • one contact point comprises a conventional AgNi contact.
  • the other contact point is provided with carbon material.
  • the AgNi contact is provided with a ribbing and is soldered onto, welded or riveted to the contact carrier (fixed contact or contact bridge).
  • the contact made of carbon material comprises a round rod or a platelet the size of the AgNi contact, which is adhesively bonded to the contact carrier (fixed contact or contact bridge) using graphite adhesive.
  • the platelet includes a ribbing. The rod or the ribbing has an orientation rotated through 90° in relation to the mating contact.
  • a second contact material is comprised 70% or more of carbon material and a remainder of metal powder.
  • a composition of this type is also referred to as metal graphite or metal-impregnated, for the production of which mixtures of metal powders, in particular copper, tin or lead, with graphite, in particular natural graphite, are compressed and subsequently compacted by annealing or sintering.
  • a second contact material is comprised entirely (100%) of carbon material.
  • the contact material of the moving contact(s) is made of carbon material.
  • At least one of the contact pieces (on the fixed contact or on the moving contact) is provided with a ribbing.
  • Ribbings with grooves are also be present on the associated contact-making elements, preferably in such a way that the grooves on one contact piece are arranged perpendicularly to the grooves on the other contact piece.
  • the contact arrangement preferably has two fixed contacts, wherein just a single contact piece or else a plurality of contact pieces can be associated with the fixed contacts.
  • the contact pieces are fastened to the contact bridge, wherein use may be made of adhesive connections or mechanical mounts.
  • the material of the contact bridge is metallic, e.g., designed so as to be conductive or insulating.
  • an insulating property of the contact bridge use is made of a single contact piece which lies with its full length on the contact bridge and bridges the fixed contacts in the closed state of the contact arrangement.
  • use may be made of smaller contact pieces which are associated with the respective fixed contacts. The size of the contact pieces corresponds to the area of the respective fixed contacts.
  • the contact piece or pieces may be designed as a round rod or as a cuboidal platelet.
  • the round rods may be designed as a full cylinder or as a half cylinder. In the case of a half cylinder, the flat side of the half cylinder is used as an adhesive face.
  • the contact piece is fastened to the contact bridge using at least one clamp.
  • Contact pieces in particular those in the form of round rods, are mounted in brackets on or in the contact bridge.
  • FIGS. 1A through 6 each show views of moving contacts K designed in the form of contact bridges T.
  • some of the figures show side views from the front or from the side.
  • the figures are preferably intended to show that (two) stationary contacts are bridged by a movable contact under the pressure of a spring means or are held open by a restoring element (contact ram).
  • the stationary contacts are not shown in the drawings. Restoring elements (for example springs), which bring the moving contacts into the position of contact with the fixed contacts, are not shown either.
  • the contact arrangement can be actuated by a contact ram, wherein the actuation of the contact can be carried out counter to the restoring force of a restoring element or counter to the press-on force of a spring means.
  • the movable contact consists of a contact bridge carrying at least one contact piece associated with the stationary contacts.
  • the contact bridge comprises a contact plate.
  • the fixed contact or contacts or contact pieces K on the contact bridge T are associated with the respective fixed contacts.
  • the contact pieces made of carbon material are shown grayed out.
  • FIGS. 1A to 1D show four contact bridges T in a view from the direction of the fixed contacts.
  • the contact pieces KP of the contact bridges T of FIGS. 1A to 1C are designed in a platelet-like manner.
  • the contact pieces KP are made of carbon material and adhesively bonded to a metallic contact bridge by means of graphite adhesive.
  • the contact pieces KP are arranged in such a way as to each be associated with the fixed contacts.
  • Reference symbol FF denotes in each case guides which are intended to serve to mount and/or to fasten contact press-on springs or actuating rams.
  • the outlines of the contact bridges T are also formed by punchings S in such a way as to produce working faces or working points for guides, mounts and/or fastenings.
  • contact pieces are designed as a half or full cylinder, and these contact pieces can be arranged where planar contact pieces are shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C . As shown in FIG. 1B for planar contact pieces, two round rods can also be attached next to each other to one contact point each.
  • round rods KS made of carbon material are each inserted into two brackets F arranged on the end side.
  • the brackets are designed in a manner known from gold work.
  • FIG. 2 shows a contact bridge made completely—e.g., including the carrier shape and the edge formation—of cuboidal carbon material.
  • the entire bridge contact and thus the carrier material of the bridge and the contacts are replaced by a single body made of carbon material in the length of the bridge.
  • a process of fastening or adhesively bonding the contact material to the contact bridge is thus dispensed with.
  • the body made of carbon material can also be designed so as to be—unlike in FIG. 2 —round: cf. FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 3 shows a contact bridge in which a platelet KQ made of carbon material is attached over the full length (directed toward the fixed contacts).
  • sealing material consisting of a plurality of thin layers of pure graphite that are provided layer-by-layer with an adhesive layer.
  • the platelet KQ can also be made of this material and adhesively bonded to the contact bridge T.
  • FIG. 4 shows a type of fastening for a platelet KQ made of carbon material that is distinguished by the use of two fastening clamps B.
  • FIG. 5 presents an embodiment of a contact bridge in which a round rod KS made of carbon material is carried by the contact bridge—with an additional plastics material part as the holder.
  • the contact bridge T juts out beyond the holder on both sides. In this case, adhesive connections and transition resistances associated therewith are then dispensed with altogether.
  • the drawings do not show an arrangement in which two round rods are provided parallel to each other, which are for example inserted into brackets or adhesively bonded to the contact bridge.
  • FIG. 6 in a manner comparable to FIG. 3 —a cuboidal platelet KQ made of carbon material is accommodated in the contact bridge T.
  • the platelet KQ juts out beyond the contact bridge T on both sides. Dotted lines indicate that the platelet can have different widths.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)
US12/761,188 2009-04-18 2010-04-15 Contact arrangement for weak current applications Expired - Fee Related US8344276B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10-2009-018-035.4 2009-04-18
DE102009018035 2009-04-18
DE102009018035A DE102009018035A1 (de) 2009-04-18 2009-04-18 Kontaktanordnung für Schwachstromanwendungen

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100294634A1 US20100294634A1 (en) 2010-11-25
US8344276B2 true US8344276B2 (en) 2013-01-01

Family

ID=42309528

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/761,188 Expired - Fee Related US8344276B2 (en) 2009-04-18 2010-04-15 Contact arrangement for weak current applications

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US8344276B2 (de)
EP (2) EP2242069A1 (de)
DE (1) DE102009018035A1 (de)

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1785618A (en) * 1920-04-09 1930-12-16 Gen Railway Signal Co Copper-carbon contact
US2519872A (en) * 1946-11-19 1950-08-22 Gen Electric Electrical contact composition or the like
DE844197C (de) 1941-07-18 1952-07-17 Eugen Dr-Ing Duerrwaechter Verfahren zur Herstellung von Unterbrecherkontakten aus kuenstlichen Kohlekoerpern und Graphitmetallkoerpern
DE1049472B (de) 1959-01-29
GB933239A (en) 1959-07-13 1963-08-08 Licentia Gmbh A drum controller for electric motors
DD242767A1 (de) 1985-11-25 1987-02-11 Ilmenau Tech Hochschule Verfahren zum verbinden von kohlenstoff- mit metallteilen
US5705297A (en) * 1996-03-04 1998-01-06 Bell Communications Research, Inc. Electrical connection for a polymeric laminate battery structure
US6246020B1 (en) * 1997-06-30 2001-06-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Saginomiya Seisakusho Micro switch having silver containing contacts
US6787722B2 (en) * 2002-06-18 2004-09-07 Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. Contact mechanism
DE202005015319U1 (de) 2005-09-28 2006-02-02 Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik Gmbh Schalter
US20060096846A1 (en) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-11 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Contact pad designed for a movable electrical contact of a circuit breaker, movable electrical contact having such a pad and circuit breaker comprising such a contact
DE102010029341A1 (de) * 2009-12-11 2011-07-21 KGT GRAPHIT TECHNOLOGIE GmbH, 53578 Substratträger

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19503184C1 (de) * 1995-02-01 1996-05-02 Degussa Werkstoff für elektrische Kontakte aus Silber-Kohlenstoff
JP2005235728A (ja) * 2003-12-01 2005-09-02 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd 電気部材及び電気装置、並びにこれらの製造方法

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1049472B (de) 1959-01-29
US1785618A (en) * 1920-04-09 1930-12-16 Gen Railway Signal Co Copper-carbon contact
DE844197C (de) 1941-07-18 1952-07-17 Eugen Dr-Ing Duerrwaechter Verfahren zur Herstellung von Unterbrecherkontakten aus kuenstlichen Kohlekoerpern und Graphitmetallkoerpern
US2519872A (en) * 1946-11-19 1950-08-22 Gen Electric Electrical contact composition or the like
GB933239A (en) 1959-07-13 1963-08-08 Licentia Gmbh A drum controller for electric motors
DD242767A1 (de) 1985-11-25 1987-02-11 Ilmenau Tech Hochschule Verfahren zum verbinden von kohlenstoff- mit metallteilen
US5705297A (en) * 1996-03-04 1998-01-06 Bell Communications Research, Inc. Electrical connection for a polymeric laminate battery structure
US6246020B1 (en) * 1997-06-30 2001-06-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Saginomiya Seisakusho Micro switch having silver containing contacts
US6787722B2 (en) * 2002-06-18 2004-09-07 Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. Contact mechanism
US20060096846A1 (en) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-11 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Contact pad designed for a movable electrical contact of a circuit breaker, movable electrical contact having such a pad and circuit breaker comprising such a contact
DE202005015319U1 (de) 2005-09-28 2006-02-02 Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik Gmbh Schalter
DE102010029341A1 (de) * 2009-12-11 2011-07-21 KGT GRAPHIT TECHNOLOGIE GmbH, 53578 Substratträger

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2242070B1 (de) 2015-07-08
EP2242070A1 (de) 2010-10-20
DE102009018035A1 (de) 2010-10-28
EP2242069A1 (de) 2010-10-20
US20100294634A1 (en) 2010-11-25

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AS Assignment

Owner name: EATON INDUSTRIES GMBH, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FREYERMUTH, THOMAS;REEL/FRAME:024778/0777

Effective date: 20100701

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20170101